Comic Review: History Of The Marvel Universe (2019) #1

History Of The Marvel Universe (2019) #1

Marvel Comics

Writer: Mark Waid

Artists: Javier Rodriguez & Alvaro Lopez

The mainline 616 Marvel Universe has a pretty convoluted history. So much has happened throughout its existence that a lot of readers aren’t even aware of. There have been some comics in the past with the topic of discussing the Marvel Universe and its happenings. I think the most popular comic was Marvels by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross. In that book, they looked at the Marvel universe through the perspective of a reporter. That book mainly focused on what happened in the literal sense of Marvel’s beginnings. The first android Human Torch and his battle with Namor. Captain America becoming the icon for WW2. The Fantastic Four’s origin, plus the coming of Galactus. But what about everything before all of that? What about the actual beginning?

That’s where Mark Waid and Javier Rodriguez’s History Of The Marvel Universe comes into play. The story starts off at the end of time, where the future Franklin Richards that was introduced in Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four is preparing for the end of the universe with his herald, Galactus. Before the end comes, Franklin asks Galactus to tell him of this world’s origin. It’s a pretty simple concept and it happens pretty fast. You’re shown the first big bang and everything that came with it. The ride throughout the Marvel Universe’s beginning brings you to some possibly familiar sights. The creation of the Infinity Gems. The Celestials. The Avengers of 1,000,000 BC. The birth of Thanos. There’s so much to see here. Maybe too much.

Everything that’s explained can be very overwhelming. A lot of new readers may expect this to be an easy way to get a true grasp on the Marvel Universe. That’s not the case, mostly.

It is interesting to read through and a joy to look at. Waid’s writing keeps you fascinated, as it doesn’t come off boring or feel like a chore to read like actual history books. As I said, it just can be overwhelming. Billions of years are explained to you in a short span of time and when you finish reading this comic, you’ll have a hankering for a cigarette.

What’s good though is that there are 13 pages after the initial story finishes that helps explain everything more. Specifically, you get more details on the planets, characters, items and other things that were mentioned in the story, along with the issue they first appeared in. It helps quells that overwhelming sense you may have, but it could still possibly leave you confused.

I personally wasn’t all that confused or entirely dumbfounded by this comic. I love reading about the lore and how it came to be and I think Mark Waid was the perfect guy to write this series. This issue stands as a testament to his love for the Marvel Universe and just how much he knows about it. My only complaint about the writing is that it seems Waid may have wanted the graphic novel approach. This issue just sort of ends out of nowhere. There’s a page of lore and there’s just a “To Be Continued” slapped in the bottom right corner. I think this is something that’s meant to be read all at once, due to the flow of the story.

The real star of this book is the art, though. Javier Rodriguez is drawing and coloring and it’s so wondrous to look at. The Kirby influence is promptly and aptly noticeable. The artwork in this issue is just so captivating, you won’t want to put this comic down. There are many Easter eggs hidden in the artwork that will put a smile on longtime Marvel reader’s faces. Not only the writing respects the lore, but the art does an even better job showing appreciation for all that’s come before.